Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the moderated mediating effect of self-compassion through maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies on the relationship between cadet stress and depression. A total of 1,054 Korea military academy cadets participated in this study by completing the following questionnaires: Short Form of Life Stress Scale for Cadet (LSS), Korean version of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (K-CERQ), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) and Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). The main findings are as follows. First, cadet stress, maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies, depression and self-compassion showed statistically significant correlations. Second, a mediating model showed that the relationship between cadet stress and depression was partially mediated by maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies. Third, multiple regression and slope analysis found a moderating effect of self-compassion on the relationship between maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and depression. Finally, self-compassion also moderated the mediating effect of cadet stress on depression through maladaptive emotion regulation strategies. Implications for the improvement and adjustment of psychological health of Korea military academy cadets and suggestions for future research are discussed.